Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-06-02
FROM STRAND TO STRAND.
GALAsHIELs, Scotland, !
April l4th, 1887. (

In the notSs made by my friend Har-
rowell, on board the steamer "Repuh-
lic," for my guidance, 1 find the fol-
fow ing:
April llth-Leave Belfast by $50
(evening) boat for Ardrosssu, where
you arrive early in the morning of
Aprit 12th-Buy railway ticket to
Ayr, visit Burns birthplace, and get
to Glasgow the same night.
april ioia-Little to see in Glasgow,
so started this morning for Edinburgh,
visit the Castle, Calton Hill, Arthur's
Seat and Holyrood Hotly-rood1 Palace.
april 14th-Rise early aud go down
to Galashiels for Abbottsford; thence
to Melrose (see Abbey thence to
Dryburgh to see Scott s grave and old
ruins; thence in the evening back to
Galashiels, where you wait and take the
night cypress for London, arriving
there early on the morning Of April
18TH"
I will improve the time that must
wait for this night express by telling
you what has happened to me in this
three days that I have been in Scot
land.
And now what shall say OF" bonnie
Scotland" the "Land o. Cakes?"
Probably there is not anywhere in the
world spot of earth that has SO much
and so diversified history as this. Its
poets for many centuries have sung
the praises of its heroes, and limned
them in such color that you can almost
see their faces behind the glowing
verse. It's annalists have written in
such faith and wonderful belief as to
trace the genealogy of Scotland's kings
for centuries prior to the Christian Era.
Standing midst the ruins of buildings
which were centuries ago worse ruins
than now-for they have been built
and rebuilt half score of times-it is
almost overwhelming to even attempt
to realize the history of this people.
A brief glance at their history would
almost compel the idea that down to
period within hundred years or SO
they were of all people the most un-
fortunate. A majority of their kings
and queens were either murdered or in
some way met violent deaths, while the
leaders of the people were too often
Jealous and distrustful of each other,
and this state of things gave England
and other adjoining countries endlesss
opportunities to intermeddle with the
affairs Of Scotland, and to overrun and
devastate their fair land.
All through their troubles, however,
there seems to have been a strong
undercurrent of patriotism which was
destined finally to make them, if not
an independent nation, at least an in
tergant part Of one on which the sun
is said never to set. No more noble
character can be found in history than
Viltiana Wallace; and Robert the
Bruce underwent the supreme test in
showing his love for his country;
al sweriDg In the affirmative the ques-
ton, Twill he fight for it, will he die
for it:."
/ must not attempt the history OF
Scotland further, but give my own for
the few brief days I spent in this
charming country.
When I awoke next morning after
leaving Belfast I found that we were
lying alongside the wharf at Ardrossin.
Although it was after six O'Clock / was
obliged to ring up the landlord at a
hotel in order to get my breakfast. I
then took the train to Glasgow, not
stopping al Burns home, WI ich after.
wards had much cause to regret. TAX
ing my friends word with regard to
Glasgow 1 made no stay here. but went
straight on to Edinburgh, and arrived
there early in the afternoon.
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland
has probably the most peculiar and
striking location of any city in Europe
The old town and the new are separat-
ed by an immense ravine. which is now
used as an entrance for all the railways
of the city. After passing through q
tunnel the ravine is entered and trav.
ersed for q long distance before reach
ing the depot. On either side of the
track the ravine is in the highest state
of cultivation as pleasure ground. Al
the depot, which is at the bottom of tht
ravine ,long.fights of stairs and.inclinet
planes lead to the cities 800 feet above
After climbing to top of the stairway
we reach Princes street, the finest IL
the city, and general panorams
stretches out before our view. On tn
lone side is the modern city, built with
lin the past hundred years; on th
lother the ravine several hundred fee
Ideep. half mile wide, and as far as th
; eve can reach, a beautiful garden, ,fille'
with shrubbery, statuary, fountains
flowers, everything to please the fancy
between a row of monuments and sta,
ues of warriors, poets, statesmen, an
in the distance the Castle, built upon
rock five hundred feet above the leve
/ of the sea. Calton Hill, Arthur's Seal
Salisbury Crags, eminences almost Eia
/ trg to the dignity OF the mountains
: surround the old town. Having visil
ed most of the larger and best cities {
our own country, including New Yorl
and San Francisco, feel qualified |
say that for natural beauty of scener.
| the City of Edinburgh ia hard to exec